Integrated simulation method and experimental validation for the vacuum induction melting process

In Vacuum Induction Melting (VIM), reduction of defects such as porosity and cracking is critical to improve electrode integrity. Traditional simulation method ignores the temperature drop of liquid metal as it passes through the tundish, leading to inaccuracies in predicting the solidification proc...

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Main Authors: Shu Li, Zhan Zhao, Tao Zhang, Xin Li, Tingxuan Chen, He Jiang, Jianxin Dong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-11-01
Series:Journal of Materials Research and Technology
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2238785424021884
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author Shu Li
Zhan Zhao
Tao Zhang
Xin Li
Tingxuan Chen
He Jiang
Jianxin Dong
author_facet Shu Li
Zhan Zhao
Tao Zhang
Xin Li
Tingxuan Chen
He Jiang
Jianxin Dong
author_sort Shu Li
collection DOAJ
description In Vacuum Induction Melting (VIM), reduction of defects such as porosity and cracking is critical to improve electrode integrity. Traditional simulation method ignores the temperature drop of liquid metal as it passes through the tundish, leading to inaccuracies in predicting the solidification process in the mold. Additionally, the crack of ingot may occur during demolding process, which is always overlooked. This paper presents an integrated simulation method that includes the flow model of liquid metal in the tundish, as well as the solidification model and the stress model of ingot in the mold. Based on these models, the criterion for demolding time is established based on First and Fourth Strength Theories. The entire VIM process from pouring to demolding can be analyzed comprehensively through this simulation method. The method is validated by 500 kg Inconel 718 VIM trial including the temperature measurement of outer mold wall, the height measurement of liquid metal in the tundish and longitudinal sectioned experiment of ingot. The suitable criteria for porosity of 500 kg Inconel 718 ingot, including shrinkage porosity and shrinkage cavity, have been found to be the Niyama criterion threshold of 15 K0.5s0.5cm−1 and Classical porosity model. Finally, the impact of each process parameter on porosity and demolding time is studied through this method for 500 kg Inconel 718 ingot. This method is not only applied to 500 kg ingot but also to larger ingot, thereby providing a basis for the VIM process optimization.
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spelling doaj-art-53fdd35396554bfeb38e6e514ad2c1bd2025-08-20T02:39:09ZengElsevierJournal of Materials Research and Technology2238-78542024-11-01331764177510.1016/j.jmrt.2024.09.183Integrated simulation method and experimental validation for the vacuum induction melting processShu Li0Zhan Zhao1Tao Zhang2Xin Li3Tingxuan Chen4He Jiang5Jianxin Dong6School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, ChinaSchool of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, ChinaSchool of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, ChinaSchool of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, ChinaSchool of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, ChinaCorresponding author.; School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, ChinaSchool of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, ChinaIn Vacuum Induction Melting (VIM), reduction of defects such as porosity and cracking is critical to improve electrode integrity. Traditional simulation method ignores the temperature drop of liquid metal as it passes through the tundish, leading to inaccuracies in predicting the solidification process in the mold. Additionally, the crack of ingot may occur during demolding process, which is always overlooked. This paper presents an integrated simulation method that includes the flow model of liquid metal in the tundish, as well as the solidification model and the stress model of ingot in the mold. Based on these models, the criterion for demolding time is established based on First and Fourth Strength Theories. The entire VIM process from pouring to demolding can be analyzed comprehensively through this simulation method. The method is validated by 500 kg Inconel 718 VIM trial including the temperature measurement of outer mold wall, the height measurement of liquid metal in the tundish and longitudinal sectioned experiment of ingot. The suitable criteria for porosity of 500 kg Inconel 718 ingot, including shrinkage porosity and shrinkage cavity, have been found to be the Niyama criterion threshold of 15 K0.5s0.5cm−1 and Classical porosity model. Finally, the impact of each process parameter on porosity and demolding time is studied through this method for 500 kg Inconel 718 ingot. This method is not only applied to 500 kg ingot but also to larger ingot, thereby providing a basis for the VIM process optimization.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2238785424021884SuperalloyVacuum induction meltingIntegrated simulation methodPorosityDemolding
spellingShingle Shu Li
Zhan Zhao
Tao Zhang
Xin Li
Tingxuan Chen
He Jiang
Jianxin Dong
Integrated simulation method and experimental validation for the vacuum induction melting process
Journal of Materials Research and Technology
Superalloy
Vacuum induction melting
Integrated simulation method
Porosity
Demolding
title Integrated simulation method and experimental validation for the vacuum induction melting process
title_full Integrated simulation method and experimental validation for the vacuum induction melting process
title_fullStr Integrated simulation method and experimental validation for the vacuum induction melting process
title_full_unstemmed Integrated simulation method and experimental validation for the vacuum induction melting process
title_short Integrated simulation method and experimental validation for the vacuum induction melting process
title_sort integrated simulation method and experimental validation for the vacuum induction melting process
topic Superalloy
Vacuum induction melting
Integrated simulation method
Porosity
Demolding
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2238785424021884
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AT taozhang integratedsimulationmethodandexperimentalvalidationforthevacuuminductionmeltingprocess
AT xinli integratedsimulationmethodandexperimentalvalidationforthevacuuminductionmeltingprocess
AT tingxuanchen integratedsimulationmethodandexperimentalvalidationforthevacuuminductionmeltingprocess
AT hejiang integratedsimulationmethodandexperimentalvalidationforthevacuuminductionmeltingprocess
AT jianxindong integratedsimulationmethodandexperimentalvalidationforthevacuuminductionmeltingprocess